Published: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 5:55 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.

Larry Lawson

Owner Larry Lawson, who closed Lawson's Fork restaurant in early March, said the restaurant will relocate from its original space at 930 E. Main St. a couple miles down the road to an existing building at 2706 Cannons Campground Road.

John Byrum/file photo

Lawson's Fork restaurant will relocate from its original space at 930 E. Main St. a couple miles down the road to an existing building at 2706 Cannons Campground Road.

Owner Larry Lawson, who closed his dining establishment in early March, said he signed a lease on the building on Tuesday and hopes to have the business up and running again by early April.

Lawson said his decision to switch locations was based on the needs of the restaurant to find a smaller space with more affordable rent.

“It was really way too big for what we were doing,” Lawson said. “Since we don't serve alcohol, it just didn't make a lot of sense. We had a great run there. We're going to continue doing what we've been doing — serving delicious food.”

The owner said he was able to retain all of his employees except for one, who left to take a full-time position at a local bank.

He said the new space, which is a little closer to his native Cowpens, will still allow him to run his catering operation, while cutting down on his overhead costs.

“I'm really excited about it,” Lawson said. “It has a homey feel … Our lease was ending and it was the perfect time to get out. That's what I did. It's not that we didn't make it. It's just that we chose a different path.”

Lawson, who also works as a worship pastor, launched his concept in February 2012.

The restaurant's bread and butter is Southern-style comfort food at an affordable price.

Lawson said he grew up with a passion for cooking and was able to hone his skills by hosting and catering events. His menu is based on family recipes.

<p>An upscale eatery near downtown is preparing to pull up stakes, but won't be moving that far.</p><p>Lawson's Fork restaurant will relocate from its original space at 930 E. Main St. a couple miles down the road to an existing building at 2706 Cannons Campground Road.</p><p>Owner Larry Lawson, who closed his dining establishment in early March, said he signed a lease on the building on Tuesday and hopes to have the business up and running again by early April.</p><p>Lawson said his decision to switch locations was based on the needs of the restaurant to find a smaller space with more affordable rent.</p><p>“It was really way too big for what we were doing,” Lawson said. “Since we don't serve alcohol, it just didn't make a lot of sense. We had a great run there. We're going to continue doing what we've been doing — serving delicious food.”</p><p>The owner said he was able to retain all of his employees except for one, who left to take a full-time position at a local bank.</p><p>He said the new space, which is a little closer to his native Cowpens, will still allow him to run his catering operation, while cutting down on his overhead costs.</p><p>“I'm really excited about it,” Lawson said. “It has a homey feel … Our lease was ending and it was the perfect time to get out. That's what I did. It's not that we didn't make it. It's just that we chose a different path.”</p><p>Lawson, who also works as a worship pastor, launched his concept in February 2012.</p><p>The restaurant's bread and butter is Southern-style comfort food at an affordable price.</p><p>Lawson said he grew up with a passion for cooking and was able to hone his skills by hosting and catering events. His menu is based on family recipes.</p><p>More information is available on Lawson's Fork's Facebook page.</p>